Student Entrepreneurs Compete for $10,000 in ORU's Launch Competition

Tulsa, Oklahoma, January 13, 2026-The Stovall Center for Entrepreneurship at Oral Roberts University (ORU) has announced the winners of the 2025 Launch Pitch Competition. The Launch offers $10,000 in prize money and provides student entrepreneurs with opportunities to receive mentoring, develop strategies, and pitch ideas to investors. This year marked a historic milestone for The Launch, with a record number of participants representing every department across campus. After several rounds of pitches, seven finalists advanced to the main stage to present their ventures before a distinguished panel of judges. "The Launch Competition reflects the heart of ORU-to develop whole leaders who combine excellence, faith, and innovation," said Dr. William M. Wilson, ORU President. "These students are not only building businesses; they are stewarding ideas with purpose and vision. As they pursue solutions that serve people and solve real-world challenges, they embody ORU's mission to impact every sphere of society through Spirit-empowered leadership." [From left to right] Anagraciela Lara, Ezekiel Shannanhouse, Joshua Brennan "This competition showcases the very best of ORU-excellence, creativity, and Spirit-empowered innovation," said Jim Stovall (ORU '81), founding donor of the Stovall Center for Entrepreneurship. "Our judges and our supporters help elevate the experience for every student who steps on stage."

Fall 2025 Launch Pitch Winners:

First Place - $5,000
Halo Technologies - Founder: Ezekiel Shannanhouse (Engineering)

A self-sustaining subdermal GPS microchip offering real-time pet tracking and redefining the future of animal safety.

"Competing in the Launch finals on my own was a powerful experience. The support and feedback I received meant a lot, and winning reaffirmed that the mission behind HALO Technologies truly resonates. This moment gives me confidence as I take the next steps toward launching our implantable GPS microchip for pets."
- Ezekiel Shannanhouse

Second Place (Tie) - $2,500 Each
Capra - Founder: Joshua Brennan (Master's in Business Administration)

A premium modular hat brand that lets you swap magnetic patches, ropes, and future bill designs - turning one high-quality hat into endless styles while reducing overconsumption.

"The Launch was an incredible experience. It's an honor to compete with students who share a similar level of drive, passion, and love for Jesus, while having facilitators and mentors that are cheering us on. Iron truly sharpens iron. A competition like this provides real world experience, and builds the confidence and clarity needed to take a business from idea to reality."
-Joshua Brennan

Second Place (Tie) - $2,500 Each
TorchBear - Founder: Anagraciela Lara (Master's in Business Administration)

A groundbreaking rope-sealing solution that prevents fraying and strengthens synthetic ropes through precision heat fusion.

"Winning this competition wasn't just a milestone for me, it was a turning point shaped by incredible mentorship and spiritual guidance that pushed me far beyond what I thought I could do. It gave me the confidence to see TorchBear's future with new purpose and possibilities that feel bigger and brighter than anything I ever imagined."- Anagraciela Lara

"One of the most rewarding parts of this competition," said Isaiah Sparkman, Director of Stovall Center for Entrepreneurship, "is watching these students grow over the course of the program-seeing their ideas sharpen, their confidence increase, and their vision become more real for them. This event reflects the broader momentum building at the Stovall Center and across our campus as entrepreneurship becomes an increasingly prolific part of the ORU experience. What we are cultivating here will shape generations of innovative students and alumni who carry Spirit-empowered creativity into every corner of the world."

The Stovall Center extends sincere gratitude to Bob Goshen, longtime sponsor of the Launch Pitch Competition and good friend of the Stovall Center, and to Jim and Crystal Stovall, whose founding gift and continued presence help sustain and continually expand ORU's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Nationally Ranked, Globally Recognized

ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 17 years of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor's level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. In 2024, the Carnegie Foundation recognized ORU with a "Leadership for Public Purpose" award, a distinction earned by only 25 universities nationwide. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 174 nations in the last 6 years to be whole leaders for the whole world.